Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 1593, Jack Gardner, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Gardner, Jack Slade, John Mary
N 1593
CONTENTS

3605. 4
Massachusetts Roll
Jack Gardner, - alia Jack or John Slade - a Black man. Mass. Line } Private War }
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 9 of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of Oct 1818 and sent to the Hon. Isaac San. Worcester Massachusetts
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 38.93 Semi-annual all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 48.00
Arrears 4 mo 26/30 $86.93
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
2 years Continued Worcester, Worcester Go

557 57 Massachusetts
Mary Gardner ~ widow of Jack Gardner, alias John Slade a Blacksmith, who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Massachusetts Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 — Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March , 1848.
Increased Dec r from $8.00
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 th day of Nov r . 1849, and sent to
M m Garrison Worcester Mass.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act Pension 29 1848, Page 59 Vol. 1 July Book D.

Jack Gardner - or Jack blade  House 9 April - Not on Bill D 44
Not on roll
Admitted
4 affidavits. annexed?

State of Massachusetts
I Isaac  Isaac Gardner formerly known by the name of Isaac for  for  the citizen of the United States, now residing in Wouster in the County of Wouster in the State of out  out , do hereby certify and declare, that in the war of the revolution in April A.D. 1781 I entered & was engaged in the land service of the United States on the Continental establishment and served accordingly from that time to the end of the war (having been enlisted for three years) as a private soldier against the common enemy without any interruption or absence that I belonged to Captain Tucker  Clapp's Company in Colonel Shepard's regiment being the 4th Massachusetts, - and that I left the service soon after the close of the war having been honorably discharged which discharge I have lost; and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty I stand in need of assistance from my country for support being now of the age of 53 years; and I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed -
Isaac his Gardner mark
Be it remembered: That on the ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen - Pursuant to a law of the United States entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," made & passed on the eighteenth day of March A.D. 1818 personally appeared before me Isaac  Isaac Gardner Chief Justice of the Superior Judicial Court of said State Isaac Gardner above named and after due examination and caution to testify the whole truth, he maketh oath to the declaration aforesaid, and subscribes the same by his mark in my presence being illiterate & unable to write & on examination duly made by me the said Judge it appears to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true -
Witness my hand & the seal
said Court the day & year aforesaid
Isaac Parker CJS6

I Simon Draper of of Brookfield in the County of Wor- cester of lawful age do testify and say that I was in the revolution- ary war in the Army of the United States the term of time within men- tioned part of the time in Capt Clapp  Fulling Company within mentioned in the regiment within mentioned. That I know a person in said Company by the name of Jack Slade who I understand has since been known by the name of Jack Gardner; That said Slade was a soldier in said Company enlisted for three years and I have no doubt served as within mentioned. I further say that altho' I was not present when the within mentioned Gardner signed this declara- tion yet I have no doubt that he is the same person I knew in the army by the name of Slade
Simon Draper
Worcester ss. Apr. 10 1818 Then personally appeared the above mentioned Simon Draper and made oth that the facts con- tained in the above deposition by him subscribed are true accord- ing to the best of his recollections
Before me Wm E. Green Justice Peace Howell Jack Gardner

Worcester ss. August 26 th 1818. I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Simeon Draper Esquire, who is a justice of the Peace in said County, and that he is a credible witness, and I have no doubt disinterested.
Abiah Pillsbury (L.S.)

I George Webb late a Captain of Infantry in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment in the war of the revolution do on oath testify & declare, that I well remember a black man who was a private soldier in Capt Claps Company in said regiment, then known by the name of Jack Slade but now by the name of Jack or John Gardner, that I am able to recollect his service from many circumstances that transpired in the army as well as from a continued knowledge of him ever since he left it - And I solemnly declare that I well remember his being in the army in said Company at the time I left it in Jan'y 1783 & that I have no doubt that the whole statement contained in his declaration which has been read to me is true - And I further declare that the said Gardner is very poor & that I have no intent directly or indirectly in his procuring a pension George Webb
Worster ss. August 22 - 1818 Then personally appeared George Webb above named and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true - And I certify that the said George Webb is a credible witness, and appears to me to be disinterested -
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, ss.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Judicial Courts holden within and for said County of Worcester, certify, that Saml. Brainerd, Nathl. Paine & William E. Green, Esquires, before whom the annexed affidavits have been made, and Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly qualified for the purpose, acting under the authority of this Commonwealth, and that their names subscribed thereto are their own proper signatures.
IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the County seal, this twenty sixth day of August,
A. D. 1818.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.
Application of Jack Gardner, alias Jack Slade, of Worcester
That the above statement by him subscribed is true - & so sayeth that the said Pike is a credible witness
Nathl. Paine Justice of the Peace

I George Webb late a Captain of Infantry in the Fourth Massachusetts regiment in the war of the revolution do on oath testify & declare, that I well remember a black man who was a private soldier in Capt Claps Company in said regiment, then known by the name of Jack Slade but now by the name of Jack or John Gardner, that I am able to recollect his service from many circumstances that transpired in the army as well as from a continued knowledge of him ever since he left it - And I solemnly declare that I well remember his being in the army in said Company at the time I left it in Jan'y 1783 & that I have no doubt that the whole statement contained in his declaration which has been read to me is true - And I further declare that the said Gardner is very poor & that I have no intent directly or indirectly in his procuring a pension
George Webb
Worthington Jp. August 22 - 1818 Then personally appeared George Webb above named and made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is true - And I certify that the said George Webb is a credible witness, and appears to me to be disinterested -
Before me Samuel Bowdoin Justice of the Peace
Worthington Jp. 22 Aug. 1818 I John Pike late a soldier in the Fifth Massachusetts regiment in the war of the revolution do on oath testify & declare that I well knew the above mentioned Gardner before and during said war, as he lived in the same town with me, and was then known by the name of Slade. - I also do know that he enlisted as mentioned in his declaration for three years & frequently saw him in the army and well remember that he was discharged some time in the autumn or early in December of 1783 - And I have no doubt of the truth of his declaration which has been read to me - And I further declare that I have no interest directly or indirectly in said Gardner's procuring a pension -
John Pike
At the time above mentioned personally appeared before me John Pike above named and made solemn oath that the above statement by him subscribed is true - & I certify that the said Pike is a credible witness
WATH - JAMES Justice of the Peace

I Alpheus Brown of lawful age do testify & say that I well knew Jack or John Gardner formerly known by the name of Jack Shaw before he entered the Army, and after his return I also well remember that he had an honorable discharge as it was committed to my hands with authority to receive what pay was then due to him, which pay I did receive but what became of said discharge I am not now able to recollect - I further declare that said Gardner is very poor & that I have no interest directly nor indi- rectly in his procuring a pension -
Alpheus Brown
Worthington Jy. 26 July 1878
Then personally appeared the above named Alphe- us Brown and made solemn oath that the above dep- osition by him subscribed is true - and I certify that said Brown is a credible witness -
Before me Samuel Worcester Justice of the Peace

Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Slade.
3665 Oct 1818
Cones 18/9/20
1820
EM

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, Jack Gardner alias Jack or aged John Slade, fifty five years, resident in Worcester in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: Entered the service in March, 1781, and belonged to Capt. Fuller's Company, Col. Shepard's Regiment in the Mass a Line, and served for more than a year, when I was removed to Capt. Chaplin's Company in the same Regiment, and again removed to Capt. Fuller's Company in which I served until I was discharged in February 1783, as nearly as I can recollect, as will appear from my previous declaration dated Ap r 9. 1818, my original certificate is numbered 3665 - and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Witness, Jas Brazier.
Jack Gardner mark.
Sworn to and declared, on the tenth day of July, 1820. before the said Court.
Attest, Abijah Bigelow Clerk.
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is twenty one dollars and twenty two cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July 1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Schedule of the Estate of Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Slade of Waverley in the County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Applicant for a pension under the act of Congress of May 1. 1820.
  1 pig $2. 50   2 Chests 1. 32   Pot, tea Kettle, dish Kettle, frying pan 3. 00   9 Chairs 4. 50   Crockery and Glass ware 4. 00   2 Mats 1. 75   Stand Stable 1. 75   2 pails 1. 40   1 Churn 1. 50   1 pr. Tongs 1. 50   1 Scour 3. 00   1 Bread trough 1. 25   2 two old casks 1. 25 
(21. 22 )
I have no other property than that mentioned above. I am a Labourer I have a wife aged 45 in a weak state of health, my family consists of 3 Children dependent on me for support, viz Eliza Gardner aged 21, Cynthia Gardner aged 15, and John Gardner aged 12. For more than ten years I have been so severely afflicted with Rheumatick complaints that I have not been able to earn the wages of an able bodied man.
Witness Jas s Brainerd
Jack his Gardner mark

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
City of Worcester. _____ December 22, 1848.
I hereby certify that the following is a true extract from the first page of the first volume of Records of Intentions of Marriage, in the late Town of Worcester, Commonwealth aforesaid, to wit:— "John Gardner & Polly Hazard both of Worcester Entered August sixth, Seventeen hundred ninety six. Both Blocks" with the exception of the date, which is expressed in the Record in fair, legible figures, as follows, "August 6 th 1796."
C. A. Hamilton, City Clerk.
I, Charles A. Hamilton, abovenamed, depose and say, that I hold the office of City Clerk in the City of Worcester, County of Worcester, and Commonwealth aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of the late Town of Worcester, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
C. A. Hamilton, City Clerk.
Worcester ss. December 23 d . 1848. Then personally appeared the abovenamed C. A. Hamilton, and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed.
Before me, W. Fenniston, Justice of the Peace.
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records of Marriages in the Town of Worcester, from the above date of "August 6, 1796" to the year sixteen Seventeen hundred and ninety eight, but do not find any record of the marriage of the abovenamed John Gardner or Polly Hazard.
C. A. Hamilton, City Clerk.

Worcester, Jp. December 26. 1848, Then the within named Hamilton made oath to the truth of the within last written certificate, by him subscribed. —
Before me, M t . Jennison, Justice of the Peace.

No 26 Mary Gardner. mo of Jack, Mass
act 29 May 1848
Miamis 1796 Mistress died in 1848 Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Blade's pension certifi- cate is numbered 3665. — And is dated March 9, 1838, issued in lieu of one lost.
Adm 2 years.
Per $50 per Annum 4 March December 1848,
Hon John Davis U.S. Senate

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 29th of July, 1848, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving Widows of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army,"
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester County, ss.
On this — ninth — day of January, A.D. 1849, personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, Mary Gardner, alias Polly Gardner, a resident of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration , in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed on the twenty ninth day July, 1848, granting pensions to Widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War; and entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving Widows of Officers and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Army."
That she is the Widow of John Gardner, otherwise called Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Glade, who was a resident of said Worcester, and who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and who drew a pension under the Acts of 18 th March, 1818, & May 1, 1820, on account of his Revolutionary services, at the rate of eight Dollars a month, or ninety six Dollars per annum. That she was married to the said

John Gardner, in the month day of August, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.
That her said Husband died on the fourth day of December, 1848.
She further declares that she is still a Widow.
Mary Gardner, alias Polly her Gardner In witness
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. In presence of } Before me, W. Garrison, Justice of the peace.
Levi Jackson W. Garrison
I certify that the Declarant is personally known to me, a Widow, as she declares.
W. Garrison, Justice of the peace.
I have been well acquainted with said Gardner and Wife, for many years past, and have no doubt of the truth of the facts stated in the foregoing Declaration.
June 10. 1849. W. Garrison, Justice of peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Worcester County, ss.
I, Charles W. Hartshorn, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that William Pennison, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures to the foregoing certificates, on the Declaration of Mary Gardner, alias Polly Gardner, and on the Depositions of Lydia Barbour and William Eaton, and Charles A. Hamilton, are genuine.
Given under my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty nine.
Chas. W. Hartshorn Clerk

Dev.
WIDOW, &c.
am
File No. 1593
Mary Gardner Widow Jack Gardner, alias John Wade Pr. Rec. War
Act: July 27, 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 262
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Letter to William Jamison 12 th Nov. 1849
77.
Massachusetts
Mary Gardner widow of Jack Gardner alias John Slade, a Blacksmith who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March , 1848.
(Dec? —)
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of March 1849. and sent to
Hon John Davis N. S. Slade
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 59 Vol. 1.
July 29. Book D

N o 76 Mary Gardner Map
Hon J. Davis Sep 13, 49.
act 29 May 1848

let to Gov. Davis, March 12 map - ap d 30. 1834 Let to R. Baldwin, Oct 19. 1835.
Wohpeahon sent to Elijah Bigelow Esq r 19 Sep 1826. —
Winter,
1826
Duplicate Certificate issued 9 March 1838 and sent to Hon S. Lincoln. H. B. —

Mar 8 Pm - 6 - Mr Evans
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington.
Hon. L. Lincoln P.M.

Washington March 7 1882
Hung Off.
James L Edwards Law. of Powers Pr
The old Fellow, mentioned in the within papers, has lost his Prison Certificate, by one of those casualties to which property and documents are exposed. I know him very well and regard him as a clever, inoffensive, and honest man. He asks only a new Certificate, which will enable him to receive his pension, and which being forwarded to me, I will see safely forwarded.
With great respect
Your obed Servt
Levi Parsons.

Sept 22 nd 1849 with info as to Mary Gardner and. David Gardner alias John Slade
Q. 77. 29 July Schwartz, commissioner of Pensions.
Washington D.C.

Worcester, Mass ts September 19, 1849.
Hon. J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington,
Dear Sir,
Under the Law of July 29, 1848, I procured a pension for Mary Gardner, widow of Jack Gardner, alias John Blake, and received a certificate, granting her $80.00 a year - Now the fact is, that her said husband was allowed $96.00 a year - and the law of July 4, 1836, says that Widows, in such cases, shall be entitled to receive the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her husband. I do not recollect of any subsequent law, varying this provision - but you must be so conversant with the laws in such cases, as to answer, in a moment, as to the correctness of the sum allowed to Mrs Gardner - If she be entitled to the $96. annually, will you put her in the way of obtaining it; as well for the past year, as for such future time as she shall remain a Widow? Said pension is all that she has to depend upon for her support, and the additional $16. will be a great help to her, in her old and almost helpless state and condition. Be pleased to look into this matter,

and forward to me such answer as the case requires, and you will much oblige
Yours, very respectfully, William Pennison
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original letter.]

Hon. John Davis,
My Dear Sir -
The day after I wrote to you, inquiring whether you had received my communication concerning Mary Gardner's application for a pension, as widow of John Gardner, I had the pleasure of receiving your envelop, covering a note from the Pension Office relative to said case. -
I had forgotten that the Declaration of the Applicant must be authenticated by a Judge. As it appears that nothing is wanting by such a Document, in proper form, I have had the same taken before Judge Kinnicutt, and presume it is now as it should be - The Declaration, now inclosed, varies somewhat, probably, in words, from the one heretofore forwarded to you - but I think the material parts will appear consistent with each other -
Should this case be allowed, you will much oblige all concerned, by procuring a certificate, as soon as convenient, and forwarding the same to me. I feel greatly indebted to you, for favors already received, and remain, very respectfully, your friend & servant,
Worcester, Mass s July 24. 1848.
W. Garrison

Increased to $96 per annum, commencing Decem- ber, 1848, deducting former pay at $80 per ann
Rev 29 July '48
Wm Garrison Worcester Mass

Worster, Mass ts Nov. 22. 1849.
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions, Washington,
Sir,
Agreeably to your suggestion, under date of the 12 th inst t I enclose to you, the pension certificate of Mary Gardner, for the purpose of having her annuity increased to $96. instead of $80. as it now stands. I presume you will see that such an arrangement is made, that she may draw the full sum of $96. from Dec r 4. 1848. in which case she will be entitled to a balance  forwards that time to the 4 th Sept. last, when she last drew her money from the pension office in Boston.
Please remit the necessary papers to me, as early as possible, and much oblige
Yours very respectfully,
William Jennings

Mary Gardner.
Payment to be made at Boston by
Franklin Haven
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Mackell
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book D Vol. 1 Page 59.
Geo. H. King Clerk.

War Department. Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 29th, 1848, Mary Gardner widow of Jack Gardner, alias John Slade a blacksmith. a private, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th December 1848. The pension will continue during her widowhood.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 1st day of March one thousand eight hundred and
Exam. as a Co. attested.
J. G. Hunt Commissioner of Pensions.

Hon. Levi Lincoln, of the House of Representatives, Washington.
Sir,
I have once more to trespass upon your time, in presenting the enclosed application to you, in behalf of the poor fellow who has placed his mark upon it - and in soliciting your friendly aid, toward procuring a new pension certificate for him.
I presume you well recollect old Jack Gardner, the regular perambulator of our streets with wheel-barrow and swill tub, in search of daily food for himself and swine - I have no doubt of the correctness of his statement - and hope Mr Edwards will not hesitate in granting the application, and issuing a new certificate as soon as may be, as Jack thinks that delays, in obtaining his semi-annual bounty, are very dangerous.
I feel under much obligation to you, Sir, for many favors already received, through your kindness, to me personally, as well as to various persons in whose behalf I have ventured to call upon you for aid and assistance; and your early attention to this present case, will render

me still more indebted to you.
With much respect, Sir,
I remain your obedt. Servt.
Worcester, Mass'ts March 3, 1838.
William Jennison
Mr Lincoln will please forward the new certificate to me, W.G.

Mary Gardner - Additional Evidence, for a Pension —
Worcester - Worcester County - Massachusetts.
Wm Garrison, agent

Declaration —
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the
29th July, 1848.
State of Massachusetts.
In this twenty third day of February 1849, personally appeared before the  the Hon. Thomas Kimball Judge of the Court of Probate of the County of Worcester, Mary Gardner, otherwise called Mary Slade, a resident of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, aged seventy years, who being duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress, passed July 29th, 1848, that Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Slade, who was a private in the War of the Revolution, and drew a pension under the Laws of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818, and May 1st, 1820, was her Husband.
She further declares, that she was married to the said Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Slade, in the month of August, in the year seventeen hundred and ninety six — that her husband the aforesaid Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Slade, died on the fourth day of December, 1848; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the second of January, eighteen hundred, viz. at the time above stated.
She further swears that she is now a Widow, and that she has never before made any application for a pension.
Mary Gardner, alias Mary X Slade, marks

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before
Thos Kimnicutt Judge of Probate }
And I further certify, that the within declaration was not made in open court, the Declarant being unable, by reason of bodily infirmity, to appear in court. And that the words "me Thomas Kimnicutt Judge of the" were interlined between the first and second lines, before signing.
Thos Kimnicutt.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Worcester ss. I, Charles G. Brewster, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the said county of Worcester, do certify, that Thomas Kimnicutt Esquire, is the Judge of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified. And that his signature to the above certificate is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I do hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court at Worcester, this twenty-fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.
Chas. G. Brewster, Register

State of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester, ss.
I, Charles G. Prentiss, Register of the Court of Probate, being a Court of Record, in and for the County of Worcester, holden at Worcester, in said County, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Blake was a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of eight dollars per month; was a resident of the County of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, and died in the City of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, in the year 1848, on the fourth day of December - that he left a Widow, whose name is Polly Gardner, or Mary Gardner, - that her said Husband was sometimes called by the name of John Gardner.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my Seal of Office, at Worcester, this nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine.
Chas. G. Prentiss, Register

I, Lydia Barbour, of Worcester in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Singlewoman, aged sixty three years, testify and say that, I have from my earliest remembrance been well acquainted with Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Blade, of said Worcester, now a pensioner of the United States, for services rendered in the Revolutionary War. I have also for said time been equally well acquainted with his wife, Mary Gardner , alias Blade , and with their family - said Gardner and Wife have lived together, as man and wife, ever since my recollection of them commenced, more than fifty years ago, and have been all that time reputed and believed to be man and wife. They have had eight or nine children - and four of them are now living - I have no means of ascertaining the fact of their marriage, but have been told, years ago, by the then Town Clerk of said Worcester, that they were married by him, and that they went to Esquire Deaver, then a Justice of the Peace in said Worcester, to be married - Of all these facts or statements I am well knowing - said Deaver has been dead for many years - and none of his family are now living, as I believe. Said Gardner and Wife have resided in this town ever since their said marriage, and have continued to live together in said town. Said Mary Gardner's name was Hazard , before she was married to her present husband, said John Gardner.
Lydia Barbour

Worcester, fs. December 4, 1848. Then the within named Lydia Barbour personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by her subscribed, Before me, William Garrison, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that in my opinion the above named Lydia Barbour is a person entitled to full credit as a witness in the matter above referred to. — W. Garrison, Justice of the Peace.

I, William Eaton, of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, aged 82 years, testify and say, that I have been well acquainted with John Gardner, of said Worcester, now deceased, who was sometimes called Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Blade, and also with his wife Mary Gardner, who was sometimes called Polly Gardner, and whose maiden name was Polly or Mary Harvard. I have known them as man and wife, and residents in this town (now City) for fifty years and more. During which time they have been considered as married persons, and as man and wife; they have had several children - two or three of whom now reside in this place. I have held, within said fifty years, many and various town offices, and have been, during all that time, well acquainted with the inhabitants generally. and have no reason to doubt that said Gardner and wife were legally married to each other. Said Gardner has for many years been a pensioner of the United States, on account of services rendered in the Revolutionary War, and died on the fourth day of December, 1848. Said Mary or Polly Gardner is now living,

and as the Widow of said John, I have no doubt is justly entitled to the benefits of the Laws of the United States, in relation to granting pensions to the Widows of persons engaged in the War of the Revolution. William Eaton.
Worcester, ss. December 25, 1848. Then the above named William Eaton personally appeared, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, by him signed.
Before me, W. Garrison, Justice of the Peace.
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named William Eaton, and have been for many years, and he is a person of veracity, and entitled to full credit in his testimony.
W. Garrison, Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. On this third day of March, 1838, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Worcester, personally appeared Jack Slade, alias Jack or John Gardner, a black man, who, on his oath declares, that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Fuller, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Shepard, in the service of the United States: — that his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of Massachusetts; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War, which certificate, on or about the last day of December, 1837, at or near his dwellinghouse, in said town of Worcester, he lost, and which he supposes, and verily believes, was burnt and destroyed by accident, whilst his house was being cleaned and prepared for the funeral services of his son John, who died in his said house about that time, the precise day he cannot now state.
Witness,
E. G. Kendall
Jack Slade, alias Jack or John Gardner, his mark.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid. William Garrison, Justice of the Peace.
I, Artemas Ward, of Worcester, in the County of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, of lawful age, do testify and say that, I am well acquainted with Jack Slade, alias Jack or John Gardner, above named, and have been thus acquainted with him for more than twenty years; and I well know him to be the same person as is represented and described in the above affidavit.
A. Ward.
Worcester, ss. March 3d. 1838. Then the above named Artemas Ward personally appeared, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, by him signed.
Before me, William Garrison, Justice of the Peace.

I certify that I am, and for many years have been, well acquainted with Jack Gardner, alias Jack or John Blake, and with Artemas Ward, both named on the other side of this paper, that I believe them to be persons of veracity, and entitled to full credit, in the statements by them respectively sworn to as before mentioned - I am also well knowing to the said Gardner, alias Blake's having for several years past a pension from the United States, for services during the revolutionary war, as I have frequently made out powers of attorney, for his agents to draw his pension money from Boston - I think his pension certificate was granted under the act of March 18, 1818.
William Garrison.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester, ss. I, Joseph G. Kendall, clerk of the court of common pleas, for Worcester county, hereby certify, that William Garrison, Esquire, before named, is a justice of the peace in and for said county, and that his signature to the certificates on the preceding page, are in his own proper hand writing. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my name, and affix the seal of said court, at Worcester, this third day of March, in the year 1838.
Joseph G. Kendall, Clerk.
Hon. L. Lincoln WR